Items to Leave Behind When Secondhand Shopping

When you’re shopping an estate sale or even just spending an afternoon at the thrift store, it can sometimes be difficult to determine whether or not you’re better off leaving a find behind—no matter how promising it might seem. Below, secondhand experts weigh in regarding the types of pieces you’re better off admiring from afar. 

Inexpensive Holiday or Seasonal Decor

While she often finds these pieces charming, Valerie Darden makes a point to leave inexpensive holiday or seasonal decor behind when secondhand shopping. “These pieces can stack up over the years and become overwhelming to store when the season comes to an end,” the founder of Brexton Cole Interiors explains. Instead, Darden focuses her efforts on special, higher end pieces that still have seasonal flair—for example, she often turns to Wedgewood or pewter vases in the springtime. “These beauties will stand the test of time,” the designer says. “They also look great with fresh peonies or any seasonal flower.” 

Instead, Darden focuses her efforts on special, higher end pieces that still have seasonal flair—for example, she often turns to Wedgewood or pewter vases in the springtime.
These blue Wedgewood vases are available at AuctionNinja

Items in Need of Reupholstery

While you may come across your fair share of benches, chairs, and sofas with beautiful bones, it might be a wiser decision to leave such pieces behind. “If you aren’t skilled enough to tackle the upholstery and don’t have the workspace to truly refinish bulky pieces, then you’re often just quadrupling the initial cost while giving yourself a major headache in the process,” says Chris Clark, an avid vintage shopper. “I keep moving if a piece of furniture has potential, but just needs far too much work.” 

Purchasing furniture that is in relatively good condition such as this Sven Grass Green Sofa that is available at AuctionNinja is a better choice if you aren’t skilled enough to tackle the upholstery and don’t have the workspace to truly refinish bulky pieces

Items in Need of Refurbishing

On a related note, Stacy Harvie, the founder of Capitol Vintage Charm, recommends leaving behind lamps in need of rewiring and furniture that needs to be re-stained if you don’t have the capacity to refurbish such items. “I think it is important to be honest with yourself about the time and resources you have available for ‘projects,’” she says. “While it may have been a bargain to purchase, it isn't serving any purpose sitting in my garage!” 

You can pick the ones that don't need any repair and ready to be decorated in your house like this pair of 2 brass table lamps candle holders & snuffer with shades. Click here to check them out at AuctionNinja.

Items from Big Box Stores

Oftentimes, pieces formerly sold at big box stores will make their way into estate sales and antique malls, and you’re better off passing those up, Clark says. “I appreciate that the true hunt is looking for items that are nearly impossible to duplicate,” he comments. “It’s often less expensive (and far more rewarding) to look for authentically vintage and antique pieces that are true discoveries. And every time you pass one in your home, you’ll smile at the memory.”

"It’s often less expensive (and far more rewarding) to look for authentically vintage and antique pieces that are true discoveries. And every time you pass one in your home, you’ll smile at the memory." This rare antique 1890s counter top advertising cigar lighter and cutter is now available to bid at AuctionNinja

Written by:

Sarah Lyon

January 24, 2024     Updated 05:01 AM

Sarah Lyon is a Washington, DC, native living in New York City. As a freelancer, she frequently covers pieces pertaining to interior design, travel, and other lifestyle topics. Her pieces have appeared in outlets including Apartment Therapy, Architectural Digest, MyDomaine, the Washington Post, the New York Times, and more. When she isn't writing, Sarah works with designers to help them style spaces for photo shoots (and can't stop rearranging and redecorating her own apartment, either!). She has a penchant for shopping secondhand and loves giving preloved pieces new life. Sarah’s own spaces have appeared on Apartment Therapy, The Everygirl, Houzz, and Washingtonian.com. Her Dupont Circle apartment was featured in both the spring 2019 print edition of Small Space Decorating and the January 2019 print edition of Washingtonian Magazine.

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